Two
ensembles, one chorus and one tenor aria of LOHENGRIN by Richard
Wagner

The
opera

Lohengrin
firmly established Wagner as an international figure of importance
in the world of opera. Wagner started to work on the poem
of Lohengrin while staying at Marienbad (Marianske Lazne)
during the summer of 1845. By November of the same year, the
libretto was finished, which he read to some of his friends.
He began writing the music at Gross-Graupe in 1846 and finished
it by April 1848.

Wagner
dedicated the monumental work to Franz Liszt, his 'rarest
friend' (to use his own words). Franz Liszt had helped Richard
to take refuge in Switzerland because of his support for a
revolution in Dresden against the royal patron. Later, thanks
to Liszt's generosity, he was joined by his wife Minna, dog
and parrot.

Wagner
became a music prophet in his own country, where he frequently
used to have the opera performed for his own gratification.
The Germans, who were very tolerant to the Romantic school,
opposed Lohengrin vehemently this time.

Elsewhere,
however, the opera soon found a circle of admirers even in
Italy, where it was performed in 1871 and received with rapture.
Within a few months, it was performed in New York, Boston
and at last reached England, better late than never.

On
September 22, 1848, the first act finale of Lohengrin was
performed at a concert in the Dresden's Opera Theatre, celebrating
the three hundredth anniversary of the Court Orchestra. However,
the Dresden Opera Theatre was not interested. Besides, due
to Wagner's sympathy and association with the unsuccessful
May Revolution, he had to flee the city in order to avoid
arrest. It was a setback for Wagner, realising that for as
long as the situation at Dresden persisted, he could not hope
to see his work and ideas fulfilled.

The
ultimate verdict on Lohengrin was, "An unbelievable music
with a continuous stream of sound, where the principals, chorus
and orchestra aim at a combined rather than an isolated expression.
It clearly shows Wagner's genius as a musician and is most
strikingly displayed."

The
premiere took place at the Court Theatre in Weimar on 28 August,
1850.

The
protagonists were:

Henry
the Fowler (bass) ......................... Mr Hoefer

Lohengrin
(tenor) ............................. Carl Beck

Elsa
(soprano) ........................Rosa von Milde

Duke
Godfrey (mute role)...................Agthe Hettstedt

Friedrich
von Telramund (baritone) ...........Hans Feodor von
Milde

Ortrud
(mezzo-soprano)....................Ms Fastlinger

Herald
(bass)........................... Mr Patsch

Four
Nobles .......................... Not named

Four
Pages ............................Not named

The
conductor for the evening was Wagner's friend and future father
in law, Franz Liszt. The irony is that Wagner did not see
Lohengrin on stage until the Vienna performance in May 1861

.

The
most beautiful music of the whole Lohengrin is probably the
Overture. It is based on a very simple theme, which placidly
sanctifies the Grail. It opens slowly with long, high chords
of violins, flutes and works through a crescendo to a magnificent
climax then goes back again to ethereal harmonies.

The
plot line

The
opera is set in Antwerp during the X century. King Henry the
Fowler of Germany finds Brabant divided by a dispute over
the ducal succession; Friedrich of Telramund claims the throne
and accuses Elsa, the ruler of Brabant, of having murdered
the rightful heir, her brother Gottfried. Elsa protests her
innocence; the King decrees that a single combat between Telramund
and Elsa's champion shall decide the issue. When no champion
comes forward for Elsa, she narrates a dream of a shining
knight, whereupon a boat drawn by a swan brings Lohengrin,
who agrees to be her defender and consort, provided that she
never inquires after his name or origin; he defeats Telramund.
Banned as a traitor, Telramund conspires with his wife Ortrud
to undermine the mysterious knight by planting doubts in Elsa's
mind. During the wedding procession, the two publicly accuse
Lohengrin of having used sorcery to defeat Telramund. Later,
in the bridal chamber, Elsa's curiosity mounts until she finally
breaks her promise and asks the forbidden question. Telramund
bursts in to attack Lohengrin, who kills the intruder and
then tells the court the answer to Elsa's fateful question:
his name is Lohengrin and he is a Knight of the Holy Grail,
allowed to remain among men only if his identity remains secret.
He bids Elsa farewell and his swan reappears as the spellbound
Gottfried, the rightful duke, now restored to human form.

Ben
Heppner The
Canadian heldentenor is celebrated as the finest dramatic
tenor and one of the best Lohengrin's of his generation, some
say .the best Lohengrin ever. He is a naturally gifted singer,
an incomparably beautiful voice, has perfect German diction,
intelligent musicianship, sparkling dramatic sense, dream
like fortissimo and Lohengrin's touch. His magnificent voice's
colour is changing without effort from rounded and dark to
soft and warm sounds. A heldentenor with lyrical quality.
Ben Heppner is very convincing as the Knight of the Holy Grail
and his Lohengrin's performance is always followed by immense
applause.

Jan-Hendrik
Rootering

The
bass-baritone is from Munich, Germany. In 1986 he was awarded
with honorary title of 'Bayerischer Kammersanger'. His Henry
the Fawler is sung extremely well, a treat for the ear. He
is a marvelous interpreter of Wagner.

Sharon
Sweet

The
American Sharon Sweet is a world renowned soprano. This role
requires vocal quality like power but at the same time sweetness
of expression which she performs quite well. A secure and
powerful soprano.

Sergei
Leiferkus

The
Russian baritone emits a rock solid sound
from top to bottom. It is a robust voice with strong theatrical
instincts.

Eva
Marton

The
Hungarian soprano is considered to be one of the great dramatic
sopranos of her day. Here, in the role of Ortrud, she displays
a large, thrilling and powerful soprano voice, suitable for
Wagner's roles.

Bryn
Terfel

The
Welsh bass-baritone. His sonorous voice is full, rich and
vibrant throughout its range. A dark but velvety like sound.
Terfel demonstrates that Wagner benefits from attention to
beauty of tone.

In
London, after the premiere, Lohengrin was regarded as one
of the most interesting musical events of the season.

The
first production in America :

Lohengrin
was first produced in America - London 1871 (in German)

Henry
The Fowler ............................ Adolf Franosch

Lohengrin
........................ Theodor Habelmann

Elsa
................................. Louise Lichtmay

Duke
Godfrey (mute role) ............................... not named

Friedrich
von Telramund ........................ Joseph Vierling

Ortrud
.................................. Marie Friderici

Four
Nobles ..................................... not named

Four
Pages ...................................... not named

Conductor
: Adolf Neuendorff

Throughout
the years, Lohengrin has been performed in almost every good
opera house and sung by many top singers, for example, Nilsson,
Kaschmann, Campanini, Matzenauser, Sembach, Whitehill, Steber,
Konya, J. de Reszke, Burian, Slezak Urlus, Melchior, Albani,
Eames, etc.. In later performances by Lorengar, Kollo, Giaiotti,
Svanholm, Jerusalem, Domingo, Flagstadt, Varnay, Rysanek,
Traubel, Crespin, Marton, Tomowa-Sintow, van Rooy, Ancona
and Schorr.

Neuschwanstein

(l.s.)

Opera
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